Rifle Ranks No. 4

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University rifle team moved up one spot to No. 4 in this week’s College Rifle Coaches Poll.

Today’s poll is based on season-high scores. The Mountaineers (2-0, 1-0 GARC) shot 4657 in their season-opening win over Ohio State (4648) on Oct. 5, at the WVU Rifle Range.

Alaska-Fairbanks shot a program-record 4694 in its win over Ole Miss (4610) on Oct. 13 and moved up two spots to No. 1. Kentucky does not open its season until Oct. 19 and therefore retains its No. 2 preseason spot, while TCU shot 4652 at the Tiger Open on Oct. 4 and ranks No. 3.

Nebraska ranks No. 5, while Memphis follows at No. 6. Ohio State and Jacksonville State are tied at No. 7, Army ranks No. 9 and Air Force sits at No. 10.

The Mountaineers opened their Great American Rifle Conference (GARC) season with a 4656-4650 win at Nebraska on Oct. 13. Sophomore Garrett Spurgeon placed first in smallbore (584) and second in air rifle (590), and junior Meelis Kiisk finished first in air rifle (593).

WVU is off this weekend. The team returns to the WVU Rifle Range on Saturday, Oct. 26, with a match against GARC foe Army. The shoulder-to-shoulder competition will begin at 8 a.m. and carry into the afternoon.